From Arts Wire Current http://www.artswire.org/current.html February 26, 2002 ARTS COMMUNITY ASKS PRESIDENT BUSH TO MAKE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS NOMINATIONS WHO ARE INTEGRALLY INVOLVED IN THE ARTS; WHO REPRESENT THE SPIRIT OF OUR NATION'S ARTS AND CULTURE WASHINGTON, DC - Arts Community responses, received by Arts Wire CURRENT in response to President Bush's nominations for the National Council on the Arts, unanimously call for the President to seriously consider his criteria for these nominations. "In your own words, Mr. President, 'From music and dance to painting and sculpting, the arts allow us to explore new worlds and to view life from another perspective. They also encourage individuals to sharpen their skills and abilities and to nurture their imagination and intellect' Those selected to be on the National Arts Council should promote these values, without prejudice. Council members should have expertise in the arts and a proven track record of supporting the arts in its many diverse forms, for everyone," writes Christine Jewell, Waterbury, CT, who is implementing a web site of arts advocacy resources for her Master's Degree thesis in Social Policy and the Arts. "When you are fighting a war on foreign shores, it's hard to think about those things that elevate the spirit and put some soul into one's life. Ah, well, he can talk to Chinese students about religion, but he forgets that soul is universal and his own citizenry needs a spiritual lift as well!" said Judith Hoffberg, Pasadena, CA, curator, writer, Editor of UMBRELLA Magazine. "As a young choreographer, reading the list of Bush's nominees for the advisory committee to the NEA struck fear in my heart," commented 25-year-old New York City choreographer Eliza Miller. "Where are the performing artists? For that matter, where are the artists at all? A committee whose original members included the likes of Helen Hayes, Agnes de Mille, and Leonard Bernstein seems to have degenerated into a tea party for Bush's cronies. Who will represent the interests of all the dancers, musicians, composers, choreographers, actors, writers, performance artists, filmmakers? How many of these nominees have ever even met someone like me?" The President has announced his intent to nominate Scottsdale businessman Don V. Cogman; Cincinnati arts patron Katharine Cramer DeWitt; Connecticut-based art critic David Gelernter; Austin educator Teresa Lozano Long; Los Angeles-area designer Maribeth Walton McGinley; and Dallas art collector Deedie Potter Rose. for the National Council on the Arts., the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts, (NEA) On February 15, the President's nominations were received in the Senate, according to the Senate NOMINATIONS IN COMMITTEE report. The complete responses from artists, arts administrators, arts writers and editors across the country -- grass roots suggestions from those who took the time to respond (and included their art affiliation) -- are available at http://www.artswire.org/nca.html Many of the of responses came from either the Mid-Atlantic Arts area or New England, represented in the President's nominations by David Gelernter or from the West Coast, represented in the President's nominations by Maribeth Walton McGinley. Currently there are no artists from New York on the National Council on the Arts. Points reiterated in many responses are that the National Council on the Arts should reflect the spirit of our countries arts and culture; that the National Council on the Arts is a place where the arts community should be represented by individuals of stature in the arts community, by individuals who are familiar with contemporary art; that the National Council on the Art is no place for sexist or homophobic opinions; and that the appointment of someone associated with an organization who advocates the elimination of the NEA is inappropriate." Ian Elliot, Billings, MT, wrote that "After further researching the matter it is with great concern that I discover Maribeth Walton McGinley and David Gelernter among the names of those nominated by President Bush to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. Though both of these individuals have established themselves as creative professionals in the arts world, their active support of conservative, and at time repressive, agendas in a number of social and political arenas greatly reduces their qualifications to serve on the National Council of the Arts." Ian Elliot suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident 7 years ago, and is now the Program Director of Growth Thru Art, a program serving people with disabilities, social service providers, and the general public. The core of the program is a studio based art experience for adults with disabilities. He continued that "For if confirmed, I firmly believe these two nominations, in particular, will very likely provide a strong voice for increased intolerance at the helm of the NEA, and result in greater levels of discord and disenfranchisement among the broad spectrum of American citizens this agency is entrusted to serve.....It has been my observation and professional experience that art and culture thrive best in environments that are inclusive, empowering and free flowing, not discriminatory, limiting and surrounded with prejudicial boundaries." Portland, Oregon-based installation artist Fernanda D'Agostino, who is currently working as a public artist on numerous design teams in the Pacific Northwest, wrote: "I was troubled to read the vitas of President Bush's nominees for the board of the NEA. I've been associated with NEA programs in many capacities since 1985, having been the recipient of NEA project and Regional Initiative grants, and having worked in the Artist in the School program for several years." "I understand the President's privilege in being able to make these nominations," Barbara Kratchman, President of ArtServe Michigan, told Arts Wire. "However I would hope that consideration would be given to how the appointees will view the future of the arts in this county," "I look forward to an honest discussion in front of Senator Kennedy's commission -- exploring the nominees backgrounds and their thinking about the future of the arts in this country." ArtServe Michigan supports and advocates for the arts and cultural education in the state of Michigan. Choreographer Jonathan Hollander, Executive and Artistic Director of Battery Dance Company, also urged the Arts Community to keep informed and active in the nomination process. Artist, writer, producer, educator Jacki Apple, who teaches interdisciplinary arts and modernist cultural history at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA, sent suggestions of nominees -- including Frank Gehry, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorcese, Judith Jamieson, Mikhail Barishnikov, Merce Cunningham, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Maxine Hong Kingston, James Turrell, Robert Rauschenberg, Maya Lin, Stephen Sondheim, Wynton Marsalis, Kent Nagano, David Geffen, Robert Wilson and Yoko Ono. She also suggested people who are knowledgeable and accomplished in the arts such as Richard Koshalek, former Director of MOCA, LA, President of the Art Center College of Design; Steven Lavine, President of the California Institute for the Arts; Robert Fitzpatrick; as well as scholars, art historians, curators such as Terence Riley; Marvin Tractenberg; Klaus Kertess; Dianne Waldman; Donald Kuspit; Lawrence Rinder; Peter Selz; and Richard Martin. Artist and Founding Director of Franklin Furnace Archive, Martha Wilson, New York City, suggested painter Chuck Close, whom she has also recommended as a nomination for NEA Chairman. "IF BUSH CARES ABOUT OUR YOUTH, OUR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION, OUR SOCIETY AND CULTURE, HE WILL WORK TO APPOINT INTELLIGENT, OPEN MINDED, AND DIVERSE CITIZENS TO LEAD OUR NATIONAL ARTS RESOURCE. I HOPE THAT HE HAS THE FORESIGHT TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE LOOK BEYOND POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL AFFILIATIONS. FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN, CURRENT ARTISTS AND FUTURE ARTISTS."- Annie Van Avery, Arts Education Director, Onion River Arts Council, VT "Bush's decisions to nominate people who know little about art or actively oppose the existence of the NEA communicates at best his indifference to the role of contemporary art in America. The NEA and the WPA before it has fulfilled the task of supporting the arts in this century and American culture has benefited immensely. Art is how a culture talks to itself . The less public support for artistic freedom the more totalitarian the government," observed environmental artist and painter Aviva Rahmani. (New York City, Maine) Annie Van Avery, Arts Education Director, Onion River Arts Council, VT, emphasized that "If Bush cares about our youth, our schools and education, our society and culture, he will work to appoint intelligent, open minded, and diverse citizens to lead our national arts resource. I hope that he has the foresight to understand how important it is that we look beyond political and financial affiliations. For the sake of our children, current artists and future artists." "THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE NEA WERE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE ARTS AS WORKING ARTISTS. PRECIOUS FEW OF THE CURRENT NOMINEES HAVE THE SAME HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, AND THE ONE WHO DOES HAS A RESUME FILLED WITH COMMERCIAL ART ONLY. HOW CAN THIS BENEFIT ASPIRING AMERICAN ARTISTS WHO ARE TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE COMMERCIAL MAINSTREAM?" - Poet Marti Stephen "I would like to know if there is anything to be done about voicing a strong opinion from the thousands of arts organizations across the country and the artists themselves about the small number of artists represented on the Board?" asked JoAnn Collins, who lives in Fresno, CA, has been associated with cultural or educations organizations for 30 years, and is starting a not-for-profit jazz organization. "I am afraid that these nominees will not care one bit about the advancement of dance through the work of innovative choreographers," wrote Nancy Garcia, dancer/choreographer, Brooklyn, NY. "President Bush's nominees for the NEA too commercially engaged and narrow-minded to effectively serve on an organization that supports art to "benefit all Americans," (as we always credit them when we list them as a funder in our program books) commented Marti Stephen, a poet who works for the nonprofit performing arts organization Cal Performances in Berkeley, California. Several of the artists who responded called attention to the arts community's disadvantaged situation and/or urged artists to continue working despite this environment. Homer Jackson, an interdisciplinary artist from Philadelphia with a background in social service and teaching, commented: "It is no surprise coming from the Bush administration. In reality, we should be outraged, but our national energy for outrage is wearing a little thin for folks these days and artists particularly. We're pretty much punch drunk and unable or unwilling to fight, except each other for some crumbs." Create, create, create and create some and create some more..," urged visual artist Samie Decker. "THE RIGHT WING APPOINTEES ARE TANTAMOUNT TO RONALD REAGAN APPOINTING JAMES WATT IN THE 80S TO DISMANTLE ANY INSTITUTIONALIZED ENVIRONMENTAL GAINS. IRONICALLY, THE CURRENTLY BLAND AND REPUBLICAN NEA NO LONGER EVEN ATTEMPTS TO FULFILL THE POLITICS-FREE MANDATE OF ITS AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION" Robert Atkins, Editor Artery The AIDS-Arts Forum; Media Arts Editor, The Media Channel "The most inappropriate nomination of David Gelernter with his many prejudicisms in particular is disturbing. I have a hard time relating to the nomination of Don Cogman an ex-advertising vice president/ marketing expert. Nor can I see the logic of Maribeth McGinley, a successful commercial artist as serving the NEA," commented Melody Takata, Director Gen Taiko, a community based performing arts group promoting children, youth, and family participation. "I have a hard time understanding how these people are going to promote the non-commercialized art of this country. Is NEA to serve as promoting money making enterprises, or is it promoting the many diverse voices of America?" She asked. Portland, Oregon-based artist Fernanda D'Agostino notes that "In our region women artists play a very strong role in our 1% for the arts programs, especially on design teams charged with planning and designing major public infrastructure projects. One of the most wonderful things about these teams is the way they bring together such diverse groups of collaborators to envision the future direction of our communities. Portland is hailed throughout the country for it's beauty and "livability." Much of that beauty and quality of life was first conceived of by teams that included designers and citizens of every race, gender and sexual preference. By coming together we have been able to create 'The City That Works,' and is beloved by folks from across the political spectrum. Placing an openly bigoted person on the board of the NEA runs counter to everything the arts community at large believes in, and to the very openness that gives our community its vibrance." Multimedia artist Edward Hillel, wrote about the nomination of Maribeth Walton McGinley: (who has fundraising ties to the Heritage Foundation) "Seems like an oxymoron to appoint an official to an organization who had previously advocated its elimination." "I have a terrible feeling that these appointments are covert attempts to change the NEA's mission, if not reopen the argument, once thought dead and gone, that the arts are the habitat of subversives and perverts. I think the arts community needs to bring this out in the open and stop these nominations," advised Ellen Rosewall, President, Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts. All the responses which Arts Wire Current received from the arts community are compiled on a web site attached to this issue at http://www.artswire.org/nca.html Arts Wire Current will continue to add responses to this page as they are received, Please send them, along with information about what you do as an artist, arts administrator, arts writer, etc. (of any discipline) to [log in to unmask] Your geographical location would also be appreciated. Sources/resources: "Bush Nominations for the National Council on the Arts Send Mixed Messages about the President's Support of Diverse Art Forms" Arts Wire CURRENT -- http://www.artswire.org/current/2002/cur021902.html February 19, 2002 ARTS COMMUNITY REACTION TO THE PRESIDENT'S NOMINATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS -- http://www.artswire.org/nca.html NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS -- http://www.arts.gov NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS http://www.nea.gov/learn/NCA/About_NCA.html Further information about the National Council on the Arts and its composition is available here as well as at http://arts.endow.gov/learn/Legislation.pdf "The Next NEA Chair? - Suggestions from the Arts Community" Arts Wire CURRENT -- http://www.artswire.org/current/2001/cur081401.html August 14, 2001 ---------------------- Responses from Museum-L would also be welcome. 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